Category Archives: Event

BIG Energy Saving Week

Big Energy Saving Week is back! January 2014 will mark the third Big Energy Saving Big Energy Saving WeekWeek; a national campaign to help people cut their fuel bills and get all the financial support they are entitled to.

Energy is a huge issue and accessing it cheaply, getting support where needed and saving it where possible can have a massive impact on consumers’ ability to manage their energy usage and cost.

Many people stay on the same tariff or with the same energy supplier for years, without realising they could be getting a better deal elsewhere. They could be saving up to £200 a year, particularly if they have never switched before.

CHECK—SWITCH—INSULATE.

Check

Contact your energy supplier to check you
are on the best tariff and payment method for your circumstances, or if they can offer you any discounts to cut your bills.

Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau to check you are not missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could boost your income.

Switch

Visit an accredited switching website to see if you could get your energy cheaper elsewhere. Shopping around for your energy supplier could save you as much as £200 if you have never switched before.

If you use heating oil as your main fuel, see if there are any local oil buying clubs you can join. If not, you might want to start your own.

Insulate

If you’re worried about how much money you’re spending to heat and light your home,
or just want to spend less, there are some simple steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient.

Keep in the heat by insulating the cavity walls and the loft of your home – you could save up to £320 per year. Most suppliers are giving away free or discounted insulation and other energy efficiency measures so ask if you’re eligible.

KFTRA Delegates Meeting to discuss Mandatory Direct Debits

Thursday April 4th at 1.30pm in Huddersfield Town Hall

KFTRA Statement on Mandatory Direct Debit – 20/03/13

After meeting with a KNH Board representative on Monday 18/03/13, KFTRA have taken the decision to defer the presentation of their petition opposing Mandatory Direct Debits for council tenants, until after a full KFTRA Delegates meeting on the subject to be held on Thursday April 4th at 1.30pm in Huddersfield Town Hall.

The reason for this is that KNH were under the misapprehension that KFTRA supported their position that ALL tenants should pay their rent by Direct Debit, which is not the case.

While KFTRA are happy to promote Direct Debit as the preferred means of collecting rents, they would still like to see a raft of payment options available to tenants.

Neither the KFTRA Management Committee, nor any other KFTRA meeting or any, outside body on which KFTRA has a representative has ever taken a vote to determine whether KFTRA are in favour (or not) of mandatory Direct Debit.

KFTRA will be inviting Kirklees Council cabinet member Cllr Cathy Scott and officers from KMC and KNH to present their position on rent payments.

Then at the KFTRA Delegates meeting, representatives from the whole of the Kirklees Tenants movement will be asked to vote on the follwing.

A vote will be taken on whether the delegates are;

Opposed to mandatory Direct Debit.

In favour of a campaign to oppose compulsory rent payments by Direct Debit.

Of particular concern are the effects that mandatory Direct Debit would have on certain groups of people.

Older people who wish to continue to pay their rent at the Post Office.

Bankrupt people who cannot hold bank accounts

Vulnerable people who would find it difficult to budget a bank account.

KFTRA were also surprised that KMC sent out a letter to tenants informing them of the change to mandatory Direct Debits without discussing this with KFTRA beforehand. KFTRA were shocked at the tone of the letter which implied potential eviction for tenants if they fell behind in their rent payments by not paying by Direct Debit.

That this letter was sent out to elderly tenants who were not in arrears causing them great distress was shocking and we hope that an apology will be given and that steps will be taken to ensure that this mistake does not happen again.

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For more information contact Jill Long KFTRA co-ordinator on 01484 223466 or email jill.long@kftra.net

SAY NO! TO COMPULSORY DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENTS

Don’t take away tenants’ choice!

Join the Kirklees Tenants Movement Campaign

SAY NO TO COMPULSORY DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENTS

Deputation – Tenant representatives will be attending the Kirklees Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday, 26th February, being held at Huddersfield Town Hall at 4.00pm to hand in a deputation.

Kirklees Council – Kirklees Council Cabinet members have already said;

“We recognise that some people may never be able to achieve this form of payment and will be developing a minimal exemption criteria to ensure that we do not adversely affect those that require more support and assistance. We would value the involvement of KFTRA in the development of this criteria”

KFTRA request to Cabinet – KFTRA would ask that Kirklees Council consider making other methods of payment available to all council tenants for payment of their rent and service charges.

Demonstration– Tenant representatives will be demonstrating outside Huddersfield Town Hall from 3.30pm onwards and would like as many people as possible to come along and join us.

More Information – If you would like to show your support for this important issue and need further information then please contact KFTRA on 01484 223466